Barasingha in India
The Barasingha or Swamp Deer, is an endangered species of deer, and can be seen in protected sanctuaries in India. They derive their name from the large antlers of the adult male Barasingha, which may grow to have more than 12 points, hence the translation of its name in Hindi, 12 - antlered Deer.

They love to live in dry and wet swampy grasslands. For obvious reasons their main diet is grass. They get them from vast grassland of central and northern India. also they feed from the bed of wet swamps. During mating season male body coloration become more of darker brown, coloration of male body indicates that mating season have arrived. Long drawn out mating calls also an indication from male to to female to mate. The breeding season of the swamp deer during the winter months of November and December. They have along gestation period of 6 months. Mother barasingha protect their baby from predator by concealing them in tall grass. The animal has an acute sense of smell and depend on their smelling capacity to sense any danger.

Zoological Name: Cervus duvauceli

Habitat : Barasingha prefers moist forest, swamplands, tall grass and reed beds near water.

Diet : Barasingha are herbivorous. They feed om aquatic plants, leaves,and grasses. It drinks atleast twice a day during the summer season.

Sub-species of Barasingha : Wetland barasingha (Cervus duvaucelii duvaucelii), upland barasingha (C. d. branderi), C. d. ranjitsinhi

Physical characteristics: The Barasingha is a medium sized deer. It can grow to a height of 130 cm and weigh up to 180 Kg. The Barasingha has a dense brown coat that keeps it warm and dry in its moist habitat. The coat of the male Barasingha becomes darker in color during the mating season. The antlers of an adult male Barasingha can grow up to 75cm long and can have more than 12 points. Habitat : The Barasingha prefers tall grass and reed beds near rivers. Marshes or swampland is a Barasingha's preferred territory. The Barasingha is found in forested areas in the Gangetic and Brahmaputra basins in India.

Behavior : Barasingha are active and graze during both the day and the night. Barasingha are usually seen in herds that vary in size depending on the time of year. Herds usually consist of 10 - 20 members. During the breeding season they form larger breeding herds of 30 - 60 deer. Male Barasingha fight to establish control over a herd of female deer. During the rest of the year adult male Barasingha are often solitary.